The Serious Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) of the Fiji Police Force, along with officers from the Western Division, arrested a man on Friday who is believed to be a significant figure in the local drug trade. Assistant Commissioner of Police – Crime (ACP) Mesake Waqa reported that the SOCU had been gathering intelligence regarding the 29-year-old suspect’s role in drug distribution.
The operation involved a raid on a residence in Lautoka, where law enforcement officers confiscated white crystals identified as methamphetamine, white powder confirmed as cocaine, and dried leaves recognized as marijuana. Additional items taken included smoking devices, a digital weighing scale, a packing machine, and both local and foreign currencies suspected to be the proceeds of illegal activities.
Two other men and a 20-year-old woman were also apprehended during the operation. According to ACP Waqa, the primary suspect attempted to evade arrest by letting his dog loose and fleeing the scene but was pursued and caught by the officers.
The SOCU has transitioned from its previous designation as the Narcotics Bureau, following the establishment of the Counter Narcotics Bureau under the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration. ACP Waqa underscored that the arrest of this key player in the distribution of illicit drugs marks a crucial advancement in the Fiji Police’s efforts towards supply reduction, as outlined in the Counter Narcotics Strategy 2023 to 2028.
He further emphasized that the rebranding of the unit demonstrates the Fiji Police Force’s holistic strategy to combat the illicit drug trade and related serious organized crimes, including money laundering, human trafficking, and arms smuggling. ACP Waqa reassured the public of the police’s dedication to bringing major drug distributors to justice and acknowledged that such investigations require time and a strong evidence-based approach to ensure successful prosecutions.
Additionally, in a separate operation, three men and two women were arrested in Namaqumaqua, Serua, where substances identified as methamphetamine were seized.